UP court sentences two for raping Odisha pilgrim in Vrindavan. Details here

Mathura: Five months after a widow from Odisha was gang raped on a temple premises in holy town of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, a fast-track court sentenced two accused to 40 years in prison.

Pronouncing the quantum of punishment sessions judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi yesterday handed over 40-year jail term to two former employees of the temple in Barsana.

The 45-year-old woman from Bhubaneswar was on a pilgrimage to Mathura and Vrindavan. The woman had arrived at Radha Rani temple in Barsana on August 29 last year where she was provided accommodation on the temple precincts.

On September 11, the accused Kanhaiya Yadav (former watchman) and Rajendra Thakur alias Panga (former cook) allegedly drugged her and took to a nearby room where she was raped in turns.

While she took it up with the temple authorities, the latter allegedly threatened to throw her out of the town.

On advice of an acquaintance, she mustered courage to register a complaint against the duo.

The case was tried in a fast track court and the accused were found guilty of the crime.

The CCTV footage retrieved from the temple corroborated the victim’s claims.

The judge sentenced the two to 40-years of rigorous imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs 1, 10, 000 on each.